A full tank of happiness allows you to take on the world. Whether it’s a hobby that brings you joy or a person that makes you smile, it’s important to identify your happiness triggers and know how to replenish them when necessary.
Getting a clearer picture of happiness involves combining subjective self-reports with broader emotional assessments. But a hybrid may still leave out certain crucial aspects of well-being.
1. You’ll be safe
Happiness is a state of well-being that can protect you from negative life outcomes such as suicide, poor health, drug abuse and low life expectancy. When you are happy, your brain sends a message to your body that things are fine, so it’s less likely to engage in the fight or flight response when you are stressed.
In a study where participants rated their happiness multiple times a day and then had a follow up visit to the hospital, those who were happiest at the beginning of the study had lower heart rates and blood pressure on the follow-up. In addition, researchers have found that happy people have stronger immune systems and can better handle stress and pain. Practicing mindfulness and gratitude are ways to feel happy. When you practice these habits, your tank will be full. You can take a deep breath to replenish your energy whenever you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Practicing this type of breathing will calm the mind and help you stay in the present moment, which is the key to happiness.
2. You’ll be on time
As a business leader, you are responsible for the happiness of your team and your customers. Happiness is the fuel that keeps everything running smoothly and efficiently. You can fill up your happiness tank by making time-saving purchases (ordering takeout, hiring a house cleaner), doing a “time left” exercise—counting the number of weekends you have left before your child graduates or how many more walks you’ll get in with your elderly dog—or by practicing meditation.
The goal of meditation is to teach your brain and body to be calm. When you’re calm, your stress level is low and you’re in control. Practicing mindfulness is like driving with a full tank—you can keep going while others are stopping for gas. The difference is in your breath!
3. You’ll save money
A well-rounded budget should rightfully allocate a portion of your earnings to savings goals like retirement and emergency funds. However, there’s also a strong case to be made for saving a small percentage of your income toward happiness-based spending.
Just as a driver on a road trip is often anxious to find a place to refuel after a long drive, a person who makes happiness a priority will save money by staying happy and calm. Having an ample “fun fund” can help you take that next concert, travel to see a new city, or even upgrade your favorite item.
4. You’ll be environmentally friendly
Many people associate eco-friendly actions like recycling and using less fossil fuels with deprivation and unhappiness. But this is a misguided belief. Studies have shown that a planet-friendly lifestyle translates to greater life satisfaction and better physical and mental health.
Victor Ayala, a researcher at the University of Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico, says that the more pro-ecological, frugal and altruistic one is, the higher feelings of happiness they experience. This is because these behaviors help to reduce our impact on the planet and create a positive feedback loop: the more we conserve, the happier we are, which motivates us to continue conserving.
In fact, Sameer’s study found that countries that are highly ranked on happiness indices such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and World Happiness Report, tend to be more environmentally friendly than those with lower rankings. This is because they prioritize happiness factors like healthy food, access to clean water and marine conservation.